NZ earthquake

Some amazing photos from New Zealand, where a large earthquake struck, essentially, downtown Christchurch in the middle of the workday.

This might get overlooked with all the serial protesting in the Middle East and the standoffs in Wisconsin, but your prayers would be appreciated, I think.

Gaza and Israeli policy

More wikileaks information about Israel's policy toward Gaza.

Despite acknowledging that Hamas was actively working to maintain the ceasefire (and that none of the rocket launches were from Hamas), Israel decided to take them out anyway.

Nice. I think they call this "bargaining in bad faith."

Trick shooter of the day.

Football throws? You betcha.

Fun with word swapping

While [Indonesia/America] has more [Muslims/Christians] than any other country, the [Southeast Asian/North American] nation of [240/308] million has long been seen as moderate and largely secular. A small but vocal—and sometimes violent—minority has at times sought to impose its will, serving as a sort of moral police for the country.

original article

Queen for a day.

The Leona Helmsley-like former ambassador to Luxembourg.

I like how the staff got so fed up, some volunteered to transfer to embassies in war zones.

Amish bootleggers

A story of milk, the FDA, and hipsters (that last one is mere projection on my part)...